It was the first sellout crowd at the Gnoll for 10 years, and they were on the edge of their seats throughout as neither side got further ahead than five points in a hard-fought Pool 4 fixture.

Munster skipper and man of the match Paul O'Connell was a relieved man after the match.

'We've come in for a bit of criticism recently, so it was nice to get a victory over a good side,' he said. 'We expected a big match and we got it, but our defence was the key on the day. The Ospreys are going to become a very good team, so it was good to get the win away from home.'

Opposite number Barry Williams added: 'They're a bit more street-wise and that showed in the end - they dogged it out a bit better than us.

'We played some good stuff - especially in the second half - but we have to take our hats off to their defence.'

The Ospreys led 12-9 at halftime, but the second half was barely two minutes old when the first try arrived. Stringer scampered around the blindside of a close-range scrum to score without a hand being laid on him.

A great tackle from Wales centre Sonny Parker set up another penalty attempt for Henson, and he made no mistake as the Ospreys regained the lead of a see-saw match.

O'Gara's fourth penalty goal gave his side a 17-15 lead, and another attempt hit the upright but fell on the right side of the crossbar to give the Irishmen a crucial five-point lead.

A terrific break from Ospreys scrum-half Jason Spice set up the opportunity for Henson's sixth goal, but the Neath-Swansea region couldn't breach a rock-hard Munster defence, despite some great work from Henson and scrum-half Jason Spice.

Wales reached their first semi-final since 2013 in the opening round of this season's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai. WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie recaps on what proved to be an eventful tournament

Wales and Ospreys back row James King, who came through the North Wales age grade system, nominated North Wales Regional Community Rugby Manager Marc Roberts, in the WRU's 'Diolch' initiative where squad players thanked those who played a part in their rise to the top.

Beating Merthyr has boosted Carmarthen Quins hopes of reaching a top eight spot in the Principality Premiership. Quins captain Haydn Pugh is delighted with his team's progress and is determined that everyone from the Under 6s through to the senior team, enjoys the ride.

When the Wales squad were asked to nominate individuals who played a big part in their early playing days, Wales and Dragons full back and wing Hallam Amos thought of his former Monmouth School rugby coach John Bevan.

Sam Cross and Luke Treharne have been named as co-captains of the Wales Sevens side as head coach Gareth Williams names his 12-man squad to play in the first leg of the HSBC World Series in Dubai next weekend.

Bedwas head coach Steve Law and players Nicky Griffiths and Alun Rees extol the virtues of the close knit club as they prepare to host third place RGC 1404 - who are one place head of them on the Principality Premiership points table - on Saturday.

Many of the Wales squad have said Diolch (thank you) to someone who played an important part in their early playing days by nominating them to be invited to the Wales v South Africa match. One person, Gowerton Comprehensive geography teacher Mr Dean Mason was nominated by two of his former pupils, Dan Biggar and Sam Davies.

The second WRU disability rugby pilot has been delivered, this time in Caerphilly schools, culminating in a festival at the Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach tomorrow. Plans are in place to set up a Disability Rugby Club in Newbridge to provide long-term playing opportunities.

WRU TV: Hear from inside the Wales camp as Neil Jenkins discusses this weekend's clash with South Africa and how the squad are looking to put in a strong performance to round of the 2016 Under Armour Series